10 Classic Novels That Are A Must Read For Every Generation Part 1

A book is an individual’s best companion- is a notion that couldn’t be more truthful. Whether you are bored and sitting idle or busy in your life, a hot cup of tea and a good book by your side always soothes your mind and lifts up your spirits. It is a deep connection with one’s imagination that takes you on a wild ride to a whole new world. Every word read becomes a figment of your imagination. A magic concocted that can only be found through a book. So today here is a look at the first part of the 10 best classic novels that we think are a must read for every generation.

1. Pride And Prejudice

Jane Austin’s classic romantic hit published in 1813, landed her on the success pedestal in the literary world, proves to be everyone’s favorite once read. The story revolves around Elizabeth Bennet, a village girl with an intelligent mind, quick wit and a knack for breaking stereotypes, and the male protagonist, Mr. Darcy, a wealthy English gentleman who is cold, calculated and mysterious (your typical tall dark and handsome). When the two meet, sparks fly. Although they harbor feelings of love for one another, their personalities clash and they have trouble getting along at first and are constantly on each other’s nerves. We see them eventually learning to set aside their own Pride & Prejudice and come together as One. The whole journey throughout the book is a whirlwind of emotions and if anything, is bound to keep you at the edge of your seat.

2. Wuthering Heights

Published in 1847, Wuthering heights became a masterpiece in the history of classic. The author Emily Brontë, illustrates the story through flashbacks recorded in diary entries. Set in 1801, the story recalls on two families – across two generations. The main lead Heathcliff, an orphaned boy who is adopted and brought to the Wuthering Heights manor, develops a relationship with the owner’s daughter Catherine. At first Catherine and her brother Hindley detest the dark-skinned orphan boy, but later on Catherine too develops feelings for Heathcliff and the two soon grow inseparable. Fate however plays the wicked game and after some unfortunate turn of events, Catherine becomes involved with Edgar, a man living near the Wuthering Heights manor and marries him. Her heart however, still lingers on Heathcliff. We see her as a protagonist who’s conflicted with her own emotions and battles within herself. Heathcliff, who after being subjected to such betrayal and rejection, vows to take revenge from all those who have wronged him and in the process transforms into a vicious, malevolent and a deranged man. Wuthering Heights is a story of a love triangle, conflicting emotions, epic betrayal and revenge which is put together in such a way that makes a reader worth investing his time in.

3. The Great Gatsby

Published in 1925 by the author F.Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby talks about the great American dream and the pursuit of happiness through acquiring wealth. The story is narrated by the protagonist Nick Carraway, a young man from Minnesota who moves to New York to learn bond business. His neighbor is the mysterious man named Jay Gatsby, who throws extravagant parties. During his stay, Nick gets invited to one of Gatsby’s parties where he meets him and the two become friends. Gatsby then tells him of his success and the reason he became so rich was to get Daisy, the love of his life back who he met years before when he was in the army but couldn’t afford to be with her or support her financially and that all of this luxury he has now acquired was only to get her. However, despite all the effort, in the end, Gatsby fails to get Daisy, who refuses to be with him and puts him in a position that gets him killed. The book is so outstandingly well written and gives such a nice moral at the end and consists of great plotting and characters that it just demands to be read.

4. Jane Eyre

A marvelous novel written by Charlotte Brontë who is not in any way inferior to her sister when it comes to writing literature classics and excelling at them. Jane Eyre published in 1847, is a culmination of Charlotte’s many works. It is a story of an orphaned girl named Jane, and is a portrayal of several stages of her life. The author begins by showcasing Jane’s early years with her aunt, a cruel lady with whom she has an abusive relationship with. To her favor she is sent to Lowood school where again her life is far from idyllic and she is subjected to rather vile behavior from her surroundings. The story takes turn when Jane yearning for a new experience, accepts a governess position at a manor called Thornfield. Here she encounters the owner of the manor & her employer, Edward Rochester, a dark mysterious man whom she falls in love with. Despite her love being reciprocated, she is aware of the hidden mysteries the manor holds and seeks to uncover the truth which after being exposed leaves her running away from Thornfield and leaving her true love behind. But as they say, true love always comes back, Jane tragically finds herself back at the doorstep of a blind Rochester who while she was gone, had lost his eyesight in the fire that burned the manor down. The book is one of requited yet tragic love with strange mysteries and gothic elements that makes it a must read for every book lover out there.

5. Rebecca

Mystery, suspense and romance- when combined together falls under one name that did justice to them all- Daphne Du Maurier and her masterpiece, Rebecca. Rebecca is a story narrated by the protagonist who remains nameless throughout the book. The story takes place when the heroine of the book, working as a travelling companion to a wealthy American woman is pursued by a cultured English nobleman, Maxim de Winter, a widower who proposes marriage to her which she readily accepts. Upon returning to his ancestral estate of Manderley along with his newly wedded wife, the heroine learns the life of Maxim’s first wife, Rebecca, and the mystery that involves her death. We see her having a hard time adjusting at Manderley being constantly compared to the late Rebecca and expecting of her to do things the same way as she did. Bothered and not convinced with Rebecca’s suicidal death, the heroine sets to unfurl the real truth and finds out that Rebecca’s death was not in fact suicide but murder by her own husband. Set in the 1938, Rebecca is that novel which will make the hair on the back of your neck stand on ends with its astonishing plotline, enticing thrill and mystery.

These are just some classics that are forever to stay and their value remains for a lifetime and we highly recommend reading them at least once in your life. So go on and grab one of these for yourself if you haven’t already then let yourself be lost in the blessing that these novels are. Happy reading and stay tuned for the second part of the article.

Abdul Basit Yousuf, a guy with two girlfriends; technology and cricket. He is an ambitious person working day and night, possessing exceptional marketing ideas. All the content and articles you see on screen have his direction at the back. He is also one of the founding members of this website and is obsessed with making GenY the best content based website in Pakistan, He believes, “You can, because you think You Can”